Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

'You have to come to Chelsea' - Drogba lured Hazard to the Premier League as Gervinho played go-between

The Belgian arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2012 and revealed how the Ivory Coast duo was instrumental in his move from Lille

Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has disclosed that Didier Drogba contacted him, and urged him to join Chelsea from Lille, while Gervinho - Drogba's Ivorian teammate - acted as a go-between.

Hazard was having a good 2011/12 season in Ligue 1 having scored 20 goals in 38 league appearances, and in the process drew interest from some Premier League clubs.

Manchester United and Manchester City had reportedly already made overtures for the Belgian when Drogba led Chelsea’s approach.